Reading

The best part of summer is reading.

The best part of reading is when it's a good book.

The best part of a good book is when you can climb right in!

Slow during the Rush

Sometimes we're in such a rush, we forget about those around us.

Today I got up, ate breakfast, and went to work within an hour's time.

Rush, rush, rush.

When I got home, it was time for our tea party.

Time slowed.

We (my sisters and I) all dressed up in our "fancy" clothes, made some tea, put some snacks on fancy plates, and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

We laughed, and chatted about who knows what, yet being together drew us closer.

We slowed time, & created memories.

Was I planning on posting about this little tea party? No...actually it was far from my mind.

When it was over, they all went to play, and I started to clean up.

I picked up the dishes, and left on my fancy dress.

Silky softness rubbed against my bare feet.

The simplicity of the moment.

A simple act of love, a tea party, will be remembered for years.

Slow time; do something simple with those you love.

Treasure time slowed.

Throwback Tuesday: Coco Chanel

 

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, also known as, Coco Chanel, is well known for one of the most popular perfumes, Chanel No. 5. She also started the love and popularity for the LBD (Little Black Dress). It was during the time of the Depression when women wanted affordable fashionable dresses. Coco Chanel created a black dress that was comfortable, stylish, and practical. Women fell in love with it, and they are still in style today. Chanel was a leading woman in fashion and was the only fashion designer in the 

Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century.

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” 
― Coco Chanel

“Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside.” 
― Coco Chanel

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”

― Coco Chanel

Science Saturday: Hummingbirds, Spittlebugs, and Buttercups Galore!

(Pardon the fact they are daisies...though there might be buttercups in the far back left corner....)

"A tiny little spittle bug climbed up a stalk.

He almost reached the top, when he heard someone talk.

A bright little humming bird sang in the sky.

He smiled at her before away she flied.

The tiny little spittle bug enjoyed the flower's scent.

Back down the buttercup he went."

A few interesting things I learned:

• Humming Birds' wings are different than most birds. Their wings don't flap, but move in a figure-eight motion. 
• If a human were to sustain the energy output of a humming bird, they would have to eat 285lbs of hamburger a day. Humming birds eat half their weight in sugar daily. 
• Their tongue is unique in the fact it can reach past the end of their bill. 
• Spittlebugs is the name for the young bugs. The adult bugs are called Froghoppers.
• The spittle is wet and slippery with a consistency of saliva rather than foam. It is made up plant juices from what they eat and glands in their abdomen. They use it to protect themselves.
• The Spittlebugs only have one known predator, a species of wasp that knows tasty things are hidden under the spittle.
• On any given plant, you can easily find Buttercups in every stage of their life. Buds, young flowers, old flowers and flowers turned to seed.
• They can, but rarely self pollinate. They are usually cross-pollinated by tiny insects crawling from one Buttercup to another. Cross pollination is better for the species anyways.
• Buttercups are very common, so many people consider them to be weeds. 

Valuing Life: Beginning to End

Our guest post today is from the lovely Eden. She is 15 years old and enjoys studying God's Word, spending time with family and friends, dancing, singing, and much more! You can visit her blog at:

www.edensevaluations.blogspot.com

Life... the very word brings so many pictures, thoughts, and ideas into my mind.  One of these thoughts would, of course, be my life. I have one amazing family consisting of seven awesome brothers and sisters and two incredible parents.  I also have lots of fun cousins, aunts and uncles, and dear grandparents.

As I look over my family tree, I see a picture of a generational, pro-life family, who has always valued life, from conception to life’s completion.

All of this reminded me of the quippy Dr. Seuss quote, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”* But to me, it seems like something is missing from that quote... something that we are going to discover in just a moment.

Life is defined by the one who created it... God.  Life begins at conception and continues until God decides that time is up.

Sadly, many people today do not believe that life is a precious gift; they don’t seem to understand that life is a blessing from the Lord. Unfortunately, from times past until now, we have seen the destruction and devaluing of human life through abortion, extermination, and euthanasia.

All around us, innocent lives are being purposefully killed and eradicated.

People are deceived and tricked... they do not see that every stage of life, from the womb to the end, is absolutely priceless.  Lisa Wingate quotes, “...Every child, no matter how tiny in the womb, must be welcomed into the world, for each child is a gift of love from God. Therefore, abortion is never the answer, for abortion kills.”* Nobel prize-winning author, Pearl S. Buck says,“Euthanasia is a long, smooth-sounding word, and it conceals its danger as long, smooth words do but the danger is there, nevertheless.”* Just like abortion and extermination, euthanasia is murder as well.

Now, looking back at Dr. Seuss’s quote, I would add, “A person’s a person, no matter how small... or big.”  Life is a miracle and a tremendous gift from God. We see this in Psalm 139:14 which says, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” We are knit together in our mother's womb, formed by the very hand and in the image of God Almighty! That is indescribable!!!

We have, are, and will always be in a battle for life.  So in closing, I urge you to continue the fight for the gift of life... to publicize to the world that life is incomparable, and therefore, we must always value it; from beginning to end.

Footnotes:

*“Horton Hears a Who!” By, Dr. Seuss

*www.miamiarch.org

*www.quotes.dictionary.com

A Cry of Roses

Roses are beautiful!

Each one is unique in it's own way.

This is a cry of roses. These roses may not be here next year. These roses are on the property of LeTourneau Christian Center. The camp is celebrating it's 80th anniversary this year. Over the past 2 years (2012-now), they've been trying to raise $850,000 dollars to buy the deed of the property so that they can apply for a grant in order to update and keep the camp going. Right now they have until Dec. 31st to raise this. As of now, they have about $105,000. I ask that you share, give, and pray that they will be able to raise the money to keep this camp going.  I've been to this camp, and the time I've spent there has impacted me to grow in my faith in God.

God's timing is powerful. I have faith that they will have the money in his perfect timing.

Please pray, share, and if you are able to give, please give!

Throwback Tuesday: Catherine Booth

Catherine Booth was the wife of William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army. She was often known as The Mother of the Salvation Army. She became a Christian at a young age, and it is said she read the Bible through 8x by the age of 12. She and her husband began The Christian Mission in 1865 in London's East End. The name was changed 13 years later to what we know now, The Salvation Army.

"I know not what He is about to do with me, but I have given myself entirely into His hands."

Catherine Booth

Science Saturday: Daisies, Fireflies and Viceroys, oh my!

Over the course of the year, I'll be reading through The Beginning Naturalist by Gale Lawrence and A Field Guide to the Familiar also by Gale Lawrence.

This past week I read about Fireflies, the difference between Black-eyed Susans and Daisies, and (impostor Monarch Butterflies) Viceroys. 

A few interesting things I learned: 

• Fireflies are not flies.....they are beetles. 
• The fireflies that fly are males. Most species of female fireflies can not fly.
• The light they produce has no heat. Scientists want to try to develop a light of similar properties. 
• Black-eyed Susans and Daisies are not related. 
• Daisies are from Europe and Asia, while Black-eyed Susans came from Western USA. 
• Black-eyed Susans are biennials, while Daisies are perennials.
• Viceroys survive well because they are almost identical to Monarch Butterflies which tend to poisonous. 
• They stay in the area in which they are born, they do not migrate like Monarchs. 
• Their eggs camouflage well on tips of leaves. 

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Our guest post today is from the lovely Neona from The Adventures of a Girl and her Monkey!

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”  How true that statement is! I've always been drawn to photography because you can convey so much with just one picture. It is one of my most enjoyable hobbies. I love capturing a moment. There is so much in God’s creation and I love to savour it all with my camera.

Sometimes you can find yourself in a photo; like you’re right there with the photographer, enjoying the view.

A photograph can perfectly capture a moment of pure bliss.

Beauty that would otherwise be overlooked is presented in all of its splendour.

A photograph can inspire awe.

It can also plant curiosity and amusement.

A photograph can be relaxing.

It can bring a smile to your face.

Sometimes, a photograph can steal your breath away and consume you with wonder.

It can fill you with the sunshine of a lovely day.

A photograph can trigger a multitude of emotions.

There are so many wondrous things to see. I love showing the world what I find and giving them a glimpse into my adventures. There is so much to be found…

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of his hands.” Psalms 19:1

“All of the earth will worship You, and will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name.”  Psalms 66:4

Throwback Tuesday: Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson

Claudia Johnson was a first lady who always looked ahead. She was a shrewd business women and investor, before, during, and after the years at the white house. She was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal. 

 "Where flowers bloom, so does hope"